Warren Buffett May Be Underestimated, But He Won’t Be Denied
Warren Buffett has taken his fair share of criticism this year, but he could just be getting started. | Source: Johannes EISELE / AFP
- Warren Buffett has lost more money this year than almost any other billionaire.
- The Oracle of Omaha is quietly making savvy moves that could prove his doubters wrong.
- Case in point: his controversial oil stock play, Occidental Petroleum, is the S&P 500’s top performer today.
Warren Buffett has seen more cycles play out in the stock market than most of your favorite traders combined.
And yet, a cocky new generation has deemed the Oracle of Omaha a relic of the past. He’s no longer relevant in this corona-stricken landscape.
Buffett has too much cash on the sidelines, they say.
He’s re-upping his investment in oil?
Today, he’s showing us why.
Warren Buffett’s Pet Oil Stock Leads the Way
In January, Buffett’s big oil bet, Occidental Petroleum, was approaching $48 per share. Two months, and an economic shutdown, later, it was crawling along at $10 a pop.
He lost a massive amount of money and continued to sit on the sidelines.
Analysts wondered if Warren Buffett had lost his touch. Some traders, like Dave Portnoy, claimed they were smarter than him.
Then in mid-April, Berkshire Hathway purchased 17 million more shares of OXY, and analysts were confounded.
Today, Occidental Petroleum is the S&P 500’s top performer.
It’s rocketed up over 10% so far on the day.
It’s up over 20% from Buffett’s April purchase.
Oil prices, and demand, will need to keep rising for companies like Occidental Petroleum to build a sustained rally, but this is a start.
And it’s not Buffett’s only recent win.
Buffett Is Making Moves
Warren Buffett is rumored to have bought back $5 billion in shares of Berkshire Hathaway.
While companies have been buying back their own shares at all-time highs, Buffett (allegedly) bought back at a steep discount.
Sure, he’s lost more money this year than almost anybody. But, as the stock market continues to rise against all odds, it’s important to note that Buffett has historically underperformed in bull markets.
He’s also lying in wait with that massive $130+ billion cash pile.
If the stock market comes to its senses and begins to reflect the damages to the real economy, then Warren Buffett will be ready to pounce on the steep discounts.
Until then, enjoy the Dave Portnoys of the world.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com and should not be considered investment or trading advice from CCN.com. The author holds no investment position in the above-mentioned securities.
